TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2014 SPORTS Nets snare Lakers as Heat stop Bulls

LOS ANGELES: Jason Collins played his first game with the Brooklyn Nets on Sunday night, becoming the first openly gay player in the four major US professional sports leagues, and Deron Williams had 30 points in a 108-102 victory over the Los Angeles Lakers. Collins was signed to a 10-day contract Sunday, nearly 10 months after his announce- ment on April 29 in Sports Illustrated. He had two rebounds and five fouls in 10 scoreless min- utes. The 12-year veteran spent his first six-plus NBA seasons with the Nets and helped them get to the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003. This was the 35-year-old center’s first NBA game since April 17, 2013, with Washington. Paul Pierce scored 25 points, helping the Nets end an 11-game losing Duaij Al-Otaibi and Dr. Ahmad Koura with winning archers and referees. streak against the Lakers. Pau Gasol had 22 points and 11 rebounds for the Lakers, who nev- er led and lost for the 24th time in 30 games Archery tournament with Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash and Xavier Henry all sidelined by injuries.

concludes HEAT 93, BULLS 79 With LeBron James watching from the bench By Abdellatif Sharaa and appreciated his vision as he gave in a suit and tie, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade officiating a special interest, to the print powered Miami to the victory. LOS ANGELES: (Left to right) Paul Pierce No. 34 of the Brooklyn Nets, Pau Gasol No.16 of the KUWAIT: The Liberation Olympic Archery “where we have officials at the highest James was a late scratch after he broke his Los Angeles Lakers and Andray Blatche of the Brooklyn Nets react to a foul in the second half Tournament concluded Saturday in the level in the shot gun and air gun events, nose in Thursday’s win at Oklahoma City, and his at Staples Center. —AFP presence of President of Kuwait and Arab and now we have referees in archery who teammates picked up the slack. Bosh had 28 Shooting Federations, Member of ISSF can run local and international events points and 10 rebounds, and Wade added 23 points for the slumping Nuggets, who lost for game with a groin injury. Engr Duaij Khalaf Al-Otaibi, and that we hope to organize in the future.” points, 10 rebounds and seven assists. the seventh time in the last eight games. The After trailing by as many as 18 points in the International Lecturer on Olympic Al-Otaibi asked archers and officials to The Bulls also were also short-handed. Starter Nuggets fell to 1-5 without leading scorer Ty first half, Nicolas Batum’s fast-break layup gave Archery officiating Dr. Ahmad Koura. exert more efforts and work together to Jimmy Butler was a late scratch because of Lawson, who missed a sixth game because of a Portland an 84-80 lead going into the fourth The tournament was officiated by further develop this noble sport. bruised ribs. Joakim Noah had 20 points, 15 fractured left rib. quarter. After Robinson’s basket, Victor Claver Kuwaiti judges who participated in the Results of the tournament are as follows: rebounds and four blocks for Chicago, which Down 58-51 after Foye hit a pair of 3-pointers dunked to extend the lead to 88-80. first officiating course that was held in General competition - men - Olympic had won five in a row. The Bulls shot 36 percent. in the third quarter, the Kings responded with a Kuwait lately. archery: Miami, playing at home for the first time in 20 21-2 run that put them in front 72-60 with 4:55 WIZARDS 96, CAVALIERS 83 Eng Duaij Al-Otaibi said, “we are Ahmad Al-Shatti, Mohammad Musallam, days, extended its winning streak to five games. left in the period. John Wall scored 21 points and Bradley Beal pleased to hold this tournament as we Fahad Al-Rashidi. had 17, leading Washington to the road victory. see national judges officiating with com- General - men - compound: CLIPPERS 125, THUNDER 117 ROCKETS 115, SUNS 112 The Wizards held the Cavaliers to 11 fourth- petence and were appreciated by all.” He Ahmad Al-Shatti, Abdallah Al-Ajmi, Salem Jamal Crawford scored 36 points to help the Patrick Beverley sank the go-ahead 3-pointer quarter points to return to .500 at 28-28 on the said archery tournaments will be regular- with 34.3 seconds to play and Houston escaped season. They also strengthened their hold on the Al-Saeed. Clippers get the win. Matt Barnes scored 24 ly organized, with all success elements with the win. Dwight Howard scored 25, James fifth spot in the Eastern Conference standings. General - men - Olympic beginners: points and Chris Paul had 18 points, 12 assists available, and officiating will be a major and eight rebounds for the Clippers, who Harden had 23 and Beverley 20 for the Rockets, The strong defensive performance in the final element in the development of the sport. Khalid Qambar, Abdallah Taha, who trailed by 10 entering the fourth quarter. period came after Washington lost Nene to a Mohammad Nabeel. snapped a two-game skid. Al-Otaibi thanked president of the Kevin Durant had 42 points and 10 assists Goran Dragic scored a career-high 35 points sprained left knee midway through the third Olympic - juniors - boys: Asian Shooting Confederation, ISSF Vice and Serge Ibaka added 20 points for the for the Suns, but missed a 3 at the buzzer. Gerald quarter. He had eight points, four rebounds and Ali Al-Mutairi, Mohammad Al-Mutairi, president Sheikh Salman Al-Humoud Al- Thunder, who lost their second straight. It was Green had 18 of his 23 points in the third quar- four assists in 21 minutes. Luol Deng led Sabah for sponsoring the tournament, Zaid Al-Saaed. the most points the Thunder have allowed this ter, and Markieff Morris finished with 21 points. Cleveland with 17 points. The Cavaliers played season. Beverley, who scored 12 in the fourth, made without center Anderson Varejao (sore back) and Oklahoma City overcame a 15-point deficit two free throws that boosted Houston’s lead to guards Dion Waiters (hyperextended left knee) late in the third quarter to take a 115-112 lead 113-110 with 20 seconds to go before Dragic and C.J. Miles (sprained left ankle). Spencer on a 3-pointer by Durant with 2:43 to play, but scored on a layup to cut it to 113-112 with 14.7 Hawes, playing his second game since being the Clippers controlled the game from there. A seconds to play. Donatas Motiejunas sank two acquired from Philadelphia on Thursday, had 16 3-pointer by Crawford with 1:30 remaining gave free throws with 14.1 seconds left to put points and 12 rebounds for Cleveland. Los Angeles a 119-115 lead. Houston up 115-112. RAPTORS 105, MAGIC 90 KINGS 109, NUGGETS 95 TRAIL BLAZERS 108, TIMBERWOLVES 97 Kyle Lowry scored 28 points, DeMar DeRozan Isaiah Thomas scored 33 points, Rudy Gay Damian Lillard had 32 points and the short- had 24 and the Raptors handed the Magic their had 32 and Sacramento earned its first win in handed Trail Blazers rallied for the victory. 15th straight road loss. Denver in six years. DeMarcus Cousins added 27 Thomas Robinson had 14 points and a career- Terrence Ross scored 16 and Amir Johnson points for the Kings, who snapped a nine-game high 18 rebounds for Portland, which won its had 12 points and eight rebounds before leav- losing streak to the Nuggets at the Pepsi Center. second straight after a three-game slump. ing with a sprained right ankle in the Raptors’ It was Sacramento’s first win in the Mile High Kevin Love scored 31 for Minnesota, which fifth victory in six games. City since a 118-115 victory on April 5, 2008. The had won three in a row. It was Love’s franchise- Toronto improved to 12-3 in its past 15 home Kings have won three of their last four games best fifth straight game with 30 or more points. games and moved six games above .500 for the overall. The Blazers played without All-Star forward first time since Feb 24, 2010, when its record was Randy Foye and Evan Fournier each scored 27 LaMarcus Aldridge, who missed his third straight also 31-25. —AP starts defense of Asia Cup in Dhaka Al-Otaibi hands Dr. Ahmad Koura a memento. DHAKA: Pakistan is determined to defend its tro- phy, but ’s remains optimistic as the two giants face off in the opening match of the five-nation Asia Cup today, in the run-up to the World Cup. Pakistan, which won the title in 2012, is aiming to put pressure on its opponents with a team bal- ancing experienced players and newcomers. Both teams are focusing not just on the open- ing match but on the whole tournament. “We have played a lot against Pakistan and India,” Mathews told reporters at a news briefing yesterday. “We know them and they also know us.” “All the teams are even. They will want to win the matches. We also would like to win. Hopefully there will be a really good competition,” he added. For today’s opening match at Fatullah, Sri Lanka has one thing in its favor - it played here a month ago against Bangladesh, winning two tests, three one-day internationals and two . “I think we need to show more good perform- ance to go further,” Mathews said. “We beat An archer in action. Bangladesh 3-0 - that doesn’t mean that it would DHAKA: Bangladeshi cricket captain Mushfiqur Rahim (left), Pakistan cricket captain Misbah- be easier for us to win the Asia Cup. It will be a ul-Haq (second left), Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli (third left), Afghanistan cricket captain tough tournament and there will be huge chal- (second right) and Sri Lankan cricket captain Angelo Mathews (right) hold lenges.” He continued, “The main challenge will be the Asia Cup trophy during a trophy unveiling ceremony. The Asia Cup 2014 will be hosted by Duke holds on to to tackle spinners successfully. All the teams have Bangladesh from today — March 8. —AFP good spinners.” Pakistan’s skipper Misbah-ul-Haq Umar Akmal, Sohaib Maqsood, , Saeed Chandimal, , , said Sunday they are taking spirit from the series Ajmal, Abdul Rehman, Junaid Khan, Umar Gul, , , Mahela beat NC State wins over Sri Lanka and South Africa, and will fight Anwar Ali, Bilawal Bhatti, Mohammad Talha Jayawardene, , , to defend the Asia Cup title. The team beat , , Chaturanga DURHAM: With the tension of tournament year coach Wes Moore said. “She got us Bangladesh in the 2012 final. While the team has Sri Lanka De Silva, , , time coming up, coach Joanne P. McCallie back in the game and gave us some several relatively inexperienced players including Angelo Mathews (captain), Dinesh . —AP wanted a test for No. 7 Duke. She can momentum, and our kids fed off of that.” Sharjeel Khan, Sohaib Maqsood, Mohammad Talha, always count on getting one from North Her last one made it 70-66 with 31/2 Bilawal Bhatti and Anwar Ali, it also has Misbah Carolina State - even when it looked like minutes left. But NC State came up empty himself and , who will play the South Africa skipper Smith another blowout for the Blue Devils. on its next four possessions - either missed key role in . “Ahmed Shehzad has been part Tricia Liston scored 24 points and Duke shots or turnovers by freshman guards of our team for quite a while, he has been doing held on to beat No. 14 N.C. State 83-70 on Miah Spencer and Ashley Williams. “You’ve well,” Misbah said. “Sharjeel Khan had an average salutes team’s comeback Thursday night. Haley Peters scored five of obviously used a lot of energy to get there, series, but he gave glimpses of being a good play- her 13 for the Blue Devils (24-3, 11-2 ACC) but we had some momentum and you er, he can time the ball well. We are looking for- PORT ELIZABETH: South Africa achieved some- South Africa were on the back foot when the after the Wolfpack trimmed their 24-point could feel it,” Moore said. And then Peters ward to seeing him develop into a good player,” he thing in the second test that would have been tourists raced to 126 without loss but fired-up lead to four. hit what Moore called “the big shot.” said. He has faith in Sohaib Maqsood too. beyond most teams, said captain Graeme Smith paceman Dale Steyn suddenly got the ball to “Exactly what we need,” McCallie said. Her 3-pointer from the corner with 2 “Maqsood played well in South Africa and against after his side’s 231-run win over Australia on reverse-swing and claimed four victims as “We need a lot more of those games, the minutes left made it a seven-point game. Sri Lanka. With experienced players, a few young- Sunday. The world’s top-ranked outfit came under Australia lost 10 for 90 runs. idea of playing a very quality opponent, She then stuck back Jones’ missed 3 to put sters like Anwar Ali and Bilawal Bhatti, they are put- under-fire after their crushing 281-run defeat in “Dale always ranges from very angry to the idea of a hot shooter that we lost and Duke up 75-66 with about a minute ting together some good scores. I am happy that it the opening test but Smith was proud at the way extremely angry when he bowls,” Smith joked. didn’t find, of making incredible plays on remaining, and the Blue Devils pulled away is a good, balanced unit,” he said. his players responded as they set up a thrilling “But it was a hell of an effort from all the bowlers. third and final match in Cape Town on Saturday. “The intensity they showed with the ball on a our end. ... It’s this kind of year for those for their third straight win in the series. The Pakistan skipper is not willing to take the “We have had to draw on past experiences in that did not do that much was amazing. To kind of games.” “We just refocused when it got to a Asia Cup tournament lightly, and is even serious this match to find a way to win,” he told reporters get nine wickets in a session is remarkable. Alexis Jones and Richa Jackson each point where they caught back up,” Liston about first-timer Afghanistan. after South Africa bowled Australia out for 216 in “We always know Dale is one spell away from scored 12 for Duke, which never trailed and said. “We started getting stops on the “All teams have ability to win against any side,” their second innings on the fourth day. being able to create something for us. It is great withstood a furious rally to take hold of defensive end. We started locating their he said. “It will be good competition. The last Asia “It has been a difficult week for us after the to see that when the game is on the line he can second place in the conference behind shooters.” Cup was witness of that: Bangladesh beat two big Pretoria test. We knew we needed to be smart respond like that.” unbeaten and second-ranked Notre Dame. A tight finish should have been expect- teams and they came close to us. You can expect and clinical and work on good ideas on how we Smith had an ominous warning for the The Blue Devils blocked a season-best ed - even after the Blue Devils jumped out any team can win against any team. eight shots, seven in the first half. to that huge lead: Since McCallie took over could respond. Australians too. “Dale was carrying an injury going Kody Burke had career highs of 30 at Duke in 2007, eight of the 10 meetings “I would say not many teams could respond in into this series,” said the captain. “He did not bowl Squads: the way we did but it is something this side has much in the lead-up to the first test and he’s points and six 3-pointers for NC State (22-5, have been decided by 14 or fewer points. Pakistan 9-4), hitting three straight 3s during the ral- “No one’s ever going to quit in those done before,” added Smith. going to get better and better the more he bowls Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Having set a daunting victory target of 448, and the more we play.”—Reuters ly. “That’s the reason we had a chance,” first- games,” she said.—AP Ahmed Shehzad, Sharjeel Khan, Shahid Afridi,